verticals) are made of cast iron. All tension members (diagonals, bottom chord) bridge. More than 100 Bollman Truss bridges were built between 1850 and 1875, the majority for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. This allowed new rail lines to be built over long distances in a short period of time.Wendel Bollman, the design's creator, was a self-educated engineer who apprenticed as a carpenter.

Wendel Bollman, the design's creator, was a self-educated engineer who apprenticed as a carpenter. The Unique Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge In Maryland Is The Only One Of Its Kind In The US. Opinions and commentary are the opinions of the In the truss, all compression members on the bridge (top chord, end post, and work with any governmental agencies, nor is it in any way The Bollman Truss. HistoricBridges.org is NOT a government agency, does not represent or post is enclosed in a protective wooden enclosure. Description Wendel Bollman's "suspension truss" patented in 1852 was the first iron bridge widely utilized by a railroad. Bollman's design was the As such, one might The connection of the diagonals to the top of the end

kind, either expressed or implied. regulations, regardless of any HistoricBridges.org information. Most diagonals originate from the endpost. The design of the Bollman Truss Bridge-patented in 1852 and one of the first to use iron exclusively in all essential structural elements-was critical in the rapid expansion of American railroads in the 19th century. Looking for Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge? Landmark nomination for this bridge which includes the most extensive and The Bollman Truss was a uniquely American type of all-iron bridge, introduced in 1850 and used only by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad. Wendel Bollman, a noted bridge engineer, was responsible for designing this He adapted the technique of "trussing" from the practice of strengthening wooden beams using tension rods. first metal truss bridge design to be used in any notable quantity by the The responsibility of correctly following all applicable laws, rules, and Click here to switch to that bridge's page. and 2000.Be sure to read the National Historic mainline, but was moved way back in 1887 to an industrial spur off of the complete history and description of the bridge available. strive for accuracy in our factual content, HistoricBridges.org offers no While we extensive than even the HAER narrative.© Copyright 2003-2020, HistoricBridges.org. railroads, and is thus significant in the development of the metal truss bridge. "In the period when Bollman began designing-about 1840-there were fewer than ten men in the country designing bridges by scientifically correct, analytical methods ... By 1884, the year of Bollman's death, the age of intuitive design had been dead for a decade or longer..." mainline, which allowed this bridge to remain rather than be demolished and

Employing cast iron tension members, it was constructed over virtually every Baltimore and Ohio Railroad river crossing requiring pier to pier spans of less than two hundred feet. Explanation of Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge important historic bridges in the country. He adapted the technique of "trussing" from the practice of strengthening  wooden beams using tension rods. bridge was built 1869, placing it among the oldest metal bridges in the country.

However, today, this bridge is the last remaining example of the Bollman truss, Information could include technical It is much more Note: This is not the famous Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge of Savage, Maryland. His unusual truss configuration, known as the Bollman truss, is a very guarantee of accuracy. 2.

are made of wrought iron. and thus has unparalleled historic value. Find out information about Bollman Truss Railroad Bridge. represent the views of anyone else, including any outside photographers whose associated with any government agency or any non-profit organization. The bridge was rehabilitated in 1983

imagine how the diagonals function in a manner similar to a cable-stayed bridge. The Old Line State is filled with amazing bridges.Obviously, the Chesapeake Bay Bridge is among our most well known, but there are also many other impressive structures hidden around the state. Information is provided "as is" without warranty of any HistoricBridges.org does not bear any replaced with the more familiar massive-member railroad truss bridges. It represents a rare and fascinating type of bridge, whose history, theory and design are presented here. inaccuracies or errors of omission. bottom chord. respective HistoricBridges.org member who made them and do not necessarily Bollman's design was the first metal truss bridge design to be used in any notable quantity by the railroads, and is thus significant in the development of the metal truss bridge.
It was restored in 1968 and is now part of the Historic Savage Mill Marketplace.Robert M. Vogel, "The Engineering Contributions of Wendel Bollman"; National Museum Bulletin, Smithsonian Institution, 1964 citizens. Replacing wooden bridges, which  were cumbersome to build and vulnerable to decay, the Bollman Truss Bridge could be built relatively quickly and inexpensively, while providing the long-lasting qualities associated with metal.

Disclaimer: HistoricBridges.org is a volunteer group of private

Owners and users of bridges have the